One A Day – 240

The yearly exhibition of traditional foods and cooking in Morelia is hot – literally!

And popular!

Encuentro 10 – Cocina Traditional

Centro de Convenciones, Morelia, Michoacán, México

October 5, 2013

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Every year, Morelia hosts an encounter for traditional cooking in October. This 1oth year of the event, the recent rains were a memory and sunny days welcomed thousands of hungry guests – myself included. The ladies at food boths are the master chefs, regardless of the young people in whites and torques hovering nearby. Students from cooking schools and chefs from restaurants all over the world attend to get a chance to work with the people who maintain these traditions. In a few days, they have a chance to become more aware of the roots of the traditional foods of Mexico and especially Michoacan. The rest of us attend to eat and experience an unmatched array of choices.

The tent above is one of two areas of tables. There is another seating area in front of the stage and areas of grass – all in use. But that covers only half the crowd. At the moment this photo was taken, the other half was waiting in line at the various food stalls that formed a rough rectangle enclosing the event. I was lucky – I got there before the traditional afternoon mealtime so I didn’t experience any long lines. I did spend far too long looking at the endless choices available.

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A couple of things worth mentioning: The people of Morelia and the surrounding area support this incredible event in huge numbers. By 11AM on Sunday, October 6, 2013, the count was over 20,000 attendees. This year’s event attendance has topped records.

The women (and a few men) who come from all regions of Michoacán to cook at the festival. They are tremendously skilled and knowledgeable cooks–the best in Michoacán. They come to compete with traditional dishes–some on the verge of extinction–that are regional specialties ONLY of Michoacán.

This unique food event is the basis for UNESCO’s award to Mexico for its ancestral, living, and communitarian cuisine. The award, given in 2010, is based on–in UNESCO’s words–the Michoacán paradigm. Mexico is the only country in the world to have received this award, and this is the only traditional food festival of its kind in the country.

Read more about the Encuentro de Cocina Tradicional de Michoacán on Mexico Cooks! In 2014, the dates are October 3, 4, and 5. Mark this festival on your calendar NOW and we’ll see you in 2014.